Gila Golan's remarkable career began with a stint as an Israeli fashion model, which ultimately led to her appearances as a film actress. Born in Krakow, Poland, Golan's early life was marked by a tumultuous period during the German occupation in 1940, where she was discovered in a train station by an unknown individual. Subsequently, she was adopted by a Roman Catholic couple and later sent to a boarding school in France before emigrating to Israel after World War II, where she underwent a name change from Zusia Sobetzcki to Miriam Goldberg.
Golan's fascination with the fashion industry led to her being spotted by an American photographer, resulting in her appearance in the Israeli magazine La'isha. This experience naturally transitioned into her participation in the 1960 beauty pageant, which ultimately led to her being crowned "Na'arat Israel" - Israel's Maiden of Beauty (IMB) - or, using international terminology, "Miss Israel." For this competition, Golan changed her name to Gila Golan, a common practice at the time among Israeli models, although it may have also been done to avoid any potential embarrassment to her religiously conservative family and friends.
Golan's success in the Miss World competition held later that year in London, where she placed second, led to her meeting the Columbia Pictures executive William Cohan and his wife. This encounter marked the beginning of her film career, with her debut in Ship of Fools (1965). Cohen and his wife came to regard her as a sort of foster daughter.
Throughout her life, Golan has been married three times and has several children. In addition, she reportedly now runs an investment business, demonstrating her adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit.
